Jungle Python not eating

[garyks57]

I know that baby Jungle pythons can be snappy but mine is so interested in biting it won't actually hold onto it's food. It strikes at it then let's go. It hasn't eaten for a month and I'm getting worried. Also, it likes to sit at the top of a branch so if it gets the food in it's mouth it can't hold onto it. Yes, I took the branch out but now it wraps itself around one of the light globes that is not connected so I have the same problem. Any ideas?

 

[Darlyn]

How old is it, how long have you had it what sort of research have you done before posting. Google is your friend and will generally guide you back to APS with lots of information. Do a bit of research and see if you can identify the problem. Otherwise you need to give us a lot more info before anyone can give you real advice.

 

[Pythoninfinite]

Firstly, if it likes being on a branch, put the branch back in. Pythons often take food when wrapped around a branch, so it's not a problem. Either your temps are wrong - maybe too cool - or there is too much going on outside the enclosure and it is being defensive. Snakes are vulnerable when they are eating, and nervous snakes will often bite defensively and then let go because there is a threatening scenario nearby. If the snake bites the mouse, you need to move away immediately to a place where the snake can't see any movement, and not interrupt until the snake has eaten the meal and it has reached the stomach - about mid-point in the body. If you distract it by moving around, a nervous snake will be far more concerned about your activities than eating - which engages its only means of defence - its mouth.

Jamie

 

[The_Geeza]

I know that baby Jungle pythons can be snappy but mine is so interested in biting it won't actually hold onto it's food. It strikes at it then let's go. It hasn't eaten for a month and I'm getting worried. Also, it likes to sit at the top of a branch so if it gets the food in it's mouth it can't hold onto it. Yes, I took the branch out but now it wraps itself around one of the light globes that is not connected so I have the same problem. Any ideas?

Globes connected or not should have a cage around them...

 

[kitten_pheonix]

The following question may help, please answer all of them
What temperature is the enclosure? (Hot and cold end)
What size enclosure is it in?
What type of enclosure is it in?
What size is the snake?
What size and type of food are you offering?
How are you preparing the food?
How are you heating the enclosure?
Does he look like hes about to shed?
Where in the house is the snake?
Do you leave the food in with him after hes striked to see if he will find and eat it?
How often do you handle?

 

[Pythoninfinite]

The following question may help, please answer all of them
What temperature is the enclosure? (Hot and cold end)
What size enclosure is it in?
What type of enclosure is it in?
What size is the snake?
What size and type of food are you offering?
How are you preparing the food?
How are you heating the enclosure?
Does he look like hes about to shed?
Where in the house is the snake?
Do you leave the food in with him after hes striked to see if he will find and eat it?
How often do you handle?

...and get one wrong and you lose your licence... !

J

 

[garyks57]

Answers to questions

He's not shedding.
Temp is 26 deg.
Enclosure is 2 ft cube, melamine.
He is a baby: only about 18 inches long.
Food (tried mice + rats) is thawed, heated like I do with my other 5 snakes - no problem with them.
He is in a bungalow where 3 of my other snakes are.

Thanks for advice so far, I've taken it onboard. As to what research I've done before posting well, THIS thread is part of my research. Talked to others who have jungles, kept snakes for years, I am a Biology teacher and have a degree in Zoology etc. Anyway, all that has done me no good so far!

I'll try again and feed him tomorrow.

 

[ash1997]

its too cold for him

 

[Amynickid]

I know that baby Jungle pythons can be snappy but mine is so interested in biting it won't actually hold onto it's food. It strikes at it then let's go. It hasn't eaten for a month and I'm getting worried. Also, it likes to sit at the top of a branch so if it gets the food in it's mouth it can't hold onto it. Yes, I took the branch out but now it wraps itself around one of the light globes that is not connected so I have the same problem. Any ideas?

The temp in the hot spot should be around 33 degrees. How big is the feed compared to his/her head? the branch is key for a jungle. it likes striking down as its a arboreal breed. spends alot of time in trees. so naturally it would attack something below it. I have a jungle myself he didnt eat for a few weeks until i figured out ways to intreague him further. try tapping his tail with rat, touching his face etc... pulling rat away. running round enclosure. provoke its killer instincts.

 

[PythonLegs]

Maybe go look at the tips for newbies thread. Nothing personal but this exact same thread has been posted multiple times this week alone.

 

[Pythoninfinite]

26 is way too cool to elicit a feeding response from a snake with so little mass.

Jamie

 

[garyks57]

Thanks guys, I will bump up the temp and see how that goes.

 

[kitten_pheonix]

The enclosure may also be a bit too large for him as well do you mind posting a picture?

 

[The_Geeza]

26 is way too cool to elicit a feeding response from a snake with so little mass.

Jamie

im more worried about the other 5 snakes digestive probs if 26 is the prob on this snake?... Plz get your husbandry up

 

[Lawra]

The temp in the hot spot should be around 33 degrees. How big is the feed compared to his/her head? the branch is key for a jungle. it likes striking down as its a arboreal breed. spends alot of time in trees. so naturally it would attack something below it. I have a jungle myself he didnt eat for a few weeks until i figured out ways to intreague him further. try tapping his tail with rat, touching his face etc... pulling rat away. running round enclosure. provoke its killer instincts.

Haha I'm glad I'm not the only one who did this I did this for my hatchie jungle's first few feeds and it worked a treat.